Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Calibration Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicle sensors often require professional calibration due to the need for precise placement of calibration objects, which is beyond the capabilities of ordinary consumers, leading to the necessity of bringing vehicles to dealerships for service.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods for calibrating sensors in autonomous vehicles using a calibration guide that indicates the correct location and positioning for a calibration object, including a laser guide, extendible arm, or autonomous robot to facilitate auto-calibration, allowing users to perform calibration procedures without professional assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a calibration object is placed in a predefined position with substantial precision for sensor calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate because it requires professional expertise and dealership visits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration precisionVSAvoidease of calibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables consumers to perform sensor calibration themselves without professional assistance. The calibration guide provides automated guidance including visual indicators and positioning assistance, allowing the end user to complete the calibration procedure independently at home rather than requiring dealership service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration guide acts as an intermediary between the calibration object and the sensor system. It provides positioning indicators, alignment guides, and automated detection to bridge the gap between simple user placement and the precise calibration requirements, eliminating the need for professional expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a calibration guide with positioning indicators is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of calibrationVSAvoidcalibration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration guide is divided into separate functional components: positioning indicators, alignment guides, and detection systems. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently simplified. The guide can be implemented as separate modules that can be added or removed without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration guide is designed to work with multiple sensor types and calibration objects using a universal set of positioning indicators and alignment references. The same guide structure can accommodate different calibration patterns and sensor configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables consumers to easily and accurately calibrate vehicle sensors, improving reliability and convenience by allowing self-calibration without requiring professional expertise or dealership visits.

Implementation Method 1

a laser guide can project an image indicating the correct location and positioning for the calibration object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS9933515B2Sensor calibration for autonomous vehicles
Publication Date: 2018.04.03 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • US9933515B2 patent drawing
  • US9933515B2 patent drawing
  • US9933515B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for calibrating sensors for an autonomous vehicle are disclosed. A calibration guide disposed on the vehicle can indicate to a user the correct location for a calibration object to be placed for a calibration procedure. In one implementation, a laser guide can project an image indicating the correct location and orientation for the calibration object. In another implementation, an extendible arm disposed on the vehicle can suspend the calibration object at the correct location and orientation. In another implementation, an autonomous robot carrying the calibration object can autonomously bring the calibration object to the correct location. The calibration guide can be unobtrusively stored within the vehicle when not in use.